7 Big Games Launching Next Week: ‘Rock Band 4′ and More

The games don’t stop coming out, especially this time of year, when game makers are cranking out their biggest titles to have a huge fourth quarter. And they have more competition than ever before, thanks to recent releases like Metal Gear Solid V, Super Mario Maker, and Forza Motorsport 6.

Next week the trend continues, with games launching for fans of just about every genre, from music games to space sims, and just about everything in between. Here are our picks for the biggest games launching the week of October 5.

1. Rock Band 4

Release Date: October 6
Platforms: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

What year is this, 2010? That’s what you might be thinking in October, when not one, but two new installments come out of long-dormant music franchises. We’ll have Rock Band 4 next week and Guitar Hero Live later in the month. Rock Band 4 is very similar to the previous installments, so the full package comes with a plastic guitar, plastic drums, and a real microphone for vocals. Best of all, the songs you bought for previous Rock Band games will still work. So buy a case of beer, invite your friends over, and rock out to the classics.

2. Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance

Release Date: October 6
Platform: PlayStation 4

If you’re looking to spend hundreds of hours in a video game world, this turn-based strategy game has enough content to keep you coming back. The Disgaea series is known for quirky humor and incredibly deep gameplay systems. It’s not for people who aren’t willing to spend the time to learn their way around the game, but the off-the-wall characters and the nonstop battles have a crazy kind of appeal. This particular installment has been getting solid reviews, so grab it if that sounds like your type of thing.

3. Elite: Dangerous

Release Date: October 6
Platform: Xbox One

This space epic has made a huge splash on PC, but now it’s coming to Xbox One. It’s basically a life simulator, but the life you’re simulating is that of a deep space explorer. You pilot a ship traveling through a full-scale re-creation of the Milky Way galaxy that’s populated by other online players. From there, you can play however you want, mining planets for minerals, engaging in space piracy, or pursuing extra-terrestrial bounties. It’s a very open-ended gameplay experience, and one that could work great on Xbox One.

4. Transformers: Devastation

Who would have expected a new game based on the Transformers cartoon from the ’80s? Probably no one, but that’s what we’re getting with Transformers: Devastation, a serious action game that once again pits the Autobots against the Decepticons. It’s developed by Platinum games, the makers of the excellent Bayonetta series, so it’s bound to have heavy-hitting combat. Plus, it only costs $50. Look for reviews soon.

5. Dragon Age: Inquisition Game of the Year Edition

Release Date: October 6
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a truly massive game that came out around this time last year. It takes around 85 hours to complete, features nine well-written main characters, and contains a fantasy world worthy of Tolkien himself. So what could possibly make it better? How about a bunch of additional content? This new edition comes with the three big expansions EA released for the game, plus item and multiplayer packs that used to be sold separately. If you haven’t played the game yet and are looking for a meaty RPG, this one will tide you over nicely.

6. Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash

Release Date: October 9
Platform: Nintendo 3DS

One of Nintendo’s lesser-known franchises is Chibi-Robo!, which stars an adorable robot who uses his cord in all kinds of smart ways. You can use it to whip enemies, break blocks, swing across pits, and grapple your way to hard-to-reach places. Based on the trailer above, it looks like a colorful adventure that should satisfy anyone who’s ready for a new installment in the series, or anyone who likes a good platformer.

7. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection

Release Date: October 9
Platform: PlayStation 4

Nathan Drake is a modern-day Indiana Jones who travels the world seeking adventure and priceless artifacts. He may get in more car chases and shootouts than your average explorer, but when fortunes are on the line, bad guys tend to get a little competitive. In this collection, the whole PlayStation 3 trilogy has been updated and remastered to look great on the PlayStation 4. There’s tons of incredible gameplay and a heck of a story here, so if you missed out on it the first time around, there’s never been a better time to get caught up — especially considering Uncharted 4 comes out in March 2016.